Hidy: Im not running for the state Assembly

MASSENA  Mayor James F. Hidy has ruled out a run this year for the state Assembly.

Mr. Hidy confirmed he had been approached to run for the River Districtseat currently held by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa. He declined to comment on who approached him to run for the seat.

Now is not the time to be seeking a state office, Mr. Hidy said.

I was approached on it. Thats all I can say, he said. I dont have the experience yet for something like that.

Mr. Hidy returned to his native Massena a couple of years ago after spending nearly two decades in Michigan. He defeated then-village Trustee Joseph A. Macaulay to become Massenas mayor in November 2010. Mr. Hidy, a registered Democrat, ran on the Republican ticket.

Since then, he has focused on several projects he said he feels would help revitalize Massena, including siting a nuclear power plant in the area, building a YMCA and repairing the long-breached Grasse River weir downtown. None of those projects has come to fruition yet.

He has also worked with the village board and the code enforcement office toward cracking down on Massenas blighted properties.

Id like to continue working on some of the projects were currently working on right now, he said. Right now, Massena is my passion.

Mr. Hidy said he was too early into his political career to be considering a higher office. He said he will need to accomplish more in Massena before he could consider that.

If anyone would vote for me without accomplishing anything, I couldnt see that happening, he said.

St. Lawrence County Republican Chairwoman Nancy K. Martin said Mr. Hidy had been in conversation with her about the seat, but decided not to pursue it. She said the party has a number of prospective candidates interested in the seat.

We really have until the middle of July when petitions have to be filed, she said. Prospects come and go every week.

Ms. Russell, who is completing her second two-year term, said she will run again this fall.

I feel as though Ive been able to make a lot of progress for the district over the last couple of years, she said. Its been an honor to serve the area.

She said she has the utmost respect for Mr. Hidy and plans to continue working alongside him on Massena issues.

We have a good working relationship, she said. I support continuing to work with him on economic development in the Massena area.

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